Planning Board - Regular Meeting

Good evening all. Uh, I'll call this um whatever it is

Monday, March 9th, 2026 meeting of the Grafton Planning Board to order. We have everybody on the board. What is um here so we don't really need to do a uh roll call. That brings me to public input. If anyone has something they'd like to talk with us about that is within our purview and is not otherwise on tonight's agenda, this is your time. Raise your hand in the room or on the web. I don't see any hands. That moves me along to action items. Request for determination of minor modification SP 20 23-05.1 SPA at 58 PLET street partnership DBA Verizon Wireless Sutton LLC.

So Mr. Mr. Chair, I'll just give a really brief overview as I usually do and I know that the applicant is on as well, so we can um elaborate on anything that I'm missing. But um so the uh the board may be familiar with this project. Um we this is permanent in 2023 for the uh monopole. Uh at this stage the monopole has not been constructed. Uh but in order to bring it up to current regulations and standards um the uh applicant is sub submitting a request for um submitting uh for determination of eligible facilities. So EFR we call it. Um the changes that are being proposed um there are going to be uh you know bigger antennas but the uh placement of the equipment and um the expansion threshold is within the uh requirements for section um 6409 of um the uh middle class tax relief and job creation act. So based on the thresholds of um what the board can review within the requisite timeline for filing it does meet um the criteria from a staff perspective as an eligible facilities request despite the you know the antennas being bigger. I did reach out to the applicant just to confirm um you know if the increase in height and width and depth of each antenna will um have you know any any foreseen um negative effect on the ability of the mono you know the monopole structural integrity I guess and uh it's not uh you know it's the monopole will be designed to support uh this infrastructure um and the the plan of the applicant is to uh commence construction of this project with these proposed changes um in quarter 3 of 2026. So, I'm happy to

answer any questions for the board about this. Um and if not, um Mike Mike is on and can fill in the blanks. Anybody? Huh? Mike can't hear you. You're muted.

There we go. Sorry about that. Good evening. Nice to see you all again. Um thank you for for hearing this. Um, I don't really have much to add to what Fiona has has summarized that the uh there's changes proposed to antennas as as she indicated that's to bring uh the facility up to current models and standards for um this kind of a facility. Um there's also um there's also some minor changes proposed on the ground. Uh but no changes proposed to the location or size of the uh compound or the tower. Um it's really just um rearranging some things on the equipment pad, sliding the equipment pad about 4 feet um to make a a better arrangement for um the equipment and for potentially future collocators um and uh you know that's that's about it. I think the other the other request was where the uh special permit approves up to two uh 500galon propane tanks. The request is that instead of two, it could be either be one or two 500 gallons or one 500 gallons or one 1,00 gallon uh which would be on a single pad. That pad would be a little bigger but the um the two 500gallon tanks would require two pads. So um over overall less uh ground area. Have we heard from the fire department about the propane

as as a condition to your permit? We need to get fire department sign off on the propane um you know before it can be installed and turned on. Okay. Questions? Questions? Nothing from me. Does the do do any of the changes disrupt the original permit or it's that's what we're trying to figure out here is a minor modification based on it's the same type of structure it's just shifting things or how does it work? Yeah.

Through you Mr. Chair. I think yeah the this is just um switching out some of the previously improved uh previously proposed um outside infrastructure but it's not changing any of the like fundamental conditions of the monopole approval just upgrading the um the the technology. Okay. And just remind me Mike I believe I know the answer to this but there's not been any site work done yet for this project. No there has not been any site work done. Okay. doesn't change my how I vote. Little bit of clearing. They've done some clearing at the uh at the edge of the street. Okay. Okay. I didn't even know about that, but Okay. Okay. Anything else?

I have a comment. Sure.

Uh I came before the board. I wasn't on the board when this was first appro uh first proposed by um the applicant. Um and I opposed it because of I live on Flet Street. Um the facility is um below a visually prominent ridge line and which was discussed at nauseium during that process. The uh Milbury and Sutton residents will benefit more from this tower than the Grafton residents for their cell service. as well as it it um violates some of the other uh bullets in section 8 of our bylaws as well as um when they conducted the balloon tests they did not uh give an accurate representation of the height of the tower. So for that fact I am going to abstain from voting tonight on this project. Yeah. because I didn't agree with it in the beginning.

Yeah, I understand. Although um this is actually a different question. It is. And that's why are you within the uh the FCC's rule of

Yep. And I know that it it doesn't violate the EFR. I um actually sat down with Fiona and went over the EFR capabilities and uh requirements and it does not violate any of those. it it does increase the size of the antenna pretty s pretty pretty significantly and in the the width and the depth and the height um if you look at the specific uh parameters. So as I was concerned at the beginning I don't have a lot of faith that they're actually going to not go to the original height which they originally talked about which was 170 and then they have the ability to go higher than that. So that's exactly why I was fearful of this project at the beginning.

Anybody else? Anybody in the room? I will make a motion that the board finds this is an eligible facilities request and direct staff and approves the minor modification and direct staff into the documentation. Second. Moved and seconded. That's with the provision about the fire. Yes, that was stood to be included. I was sure that was included. Yes. Any discussion on the motion? Hearing none. All in favor? I I opposed and abstain.

Abstain. Got them. Okay. Thank Thank you very much. All right. Bond shy rider appro bond shy rider rider approval for Abby Woods.

Oh dear. So Mr. Chair, this is um this is a new new paperwork that was submitted. Um we've been going back and forth with the applicants representative on the language. Um and this has been vetted by council but basically we needed um proper shy in place to cover the section two which is going to be the entire basically bond the entirety of the subdivision. So there was there's shity in place right now for section one. um that is finishing up and the houses uh the lots have been released and those houses are um coming close to completion and now it's time to move on to to section two and complete the remainder the remaining six uh five maybe five lots. Um so you know we just wanted to make sure that it was covering that the station areas are correctly referenced in the rider which they are. I did make sure of that as did council. um and that the correct references to section one and two are included. So um this is just part of the process for for approval to make sure that there's coverage in place for the completion of the road and public infrastructure for the whole the whole thing. So, um I know the applicant is is is on and if he has anything to add, please feel free. But, um this is if anyone has any questions, you can also

maybe you can usually we have calculations about how much it should be. Um and I don't think I'm seeing that, but is is that I'm not sure I understand Ryder in this case. If if I may, and I think Natalya is about to say the exact same thing that I am, but we did provide uh the cost the approved cost estimates to them and verified that this is for the correct amount, which is three. Okay. Should be in there. Questions? three 346,000

346,000 which they they put in their description area and and we determined that was right. How based on Graves engineering cost? Okay, we had that already. That was approved by the board before and the language in this was the final language we have in front of us was approved by council. Yeah, C council did did vet it. um than I vetted it as well. So um you know they're using I I you know the word phase two and section kind of being used interchangeably which whatever it's section one and two is clearly

how long ago was the number calculated. Let me check. Natala has Natalia might know off the top of her head while I NA has her hand up. Mr. Chair Natalia Uh we did ask Graves whether um the figure was still valid from the last time which was I think 2025. Um and he he verified that the fig the the figures are accurate and that's why we did not have another engineer's opinion constru of construction cost done because and you had already approved both those figures at that time. Yeah. you know, with all the

one and two and uh petroleum and all a little worried, but I don't know anybody. All right. Well, anybody anywhere in here or out there have anything to say? If not, move the board approve this and with any any accompanying paperwork needs to be done. Second. Moved and seconded. Discussion hearing. None. All in favor?

I opposed. So voted unanimously. Bills. Move the board authorize payment of the bills as presented. Second. Moved and seconded. Discussion hearing none. All in favor? I opposed. So voted unanimously. Moving on to there are did I cross that out?

No, there are no minutes. There are no minutes, but I don't remember crossing it out. Um, staff report. Um, so not too much because well, actually that's there's a lot going on. Obviously trying to prepare for my departure on Friday. Um, getting Natalya up to speed and um, everyone

and everybody else um, who needs to be um, bought into the fold. Uh Natalya will be a great um obviously an an amazing resource for anybody. She can do everything and I have full confidence in her. I will be focusing kind of having her do uh you know application processing um and just the day-to-day things in the office that she's very very good at. I'll be delegating some of the bigger picture items, some of the like longer range projects and um you know things that just involve a lot more kind of coordination with various department heads etc. That'll just be temporarily taken over by William and Evan and the TA's office until the new person comes in. The staff the job posting is posted. Um, so hopefully, uh, we'll get somebody in, um, and they can jump right in, you know, right away. I have a 15-page transition plan for them that's not even close to being done. So hopefully they will have all the information that they need that until after they're, you know, on

Yeah. want to Yeah. I don't want to scare them off.

Yeah. Trying Just trying to put, you know, trying to think of everything that could could come up. um you know hopefully you know hopefully it won't be you know too daunting. A lot of stuff is just they'll find out you know as they go through um the processes as well. Um just trying to kind of focus on some of the odd ones you know some of the more unique developments that kind of come back around and just clarifying that um connecting them with the proper contact. So, that's what I've been doing. And obviously finishing up any like tying up any loose ends, any uh deliverables that are needed from me for projects that are ongoing and just trying to yeah, just tee up things. Um, but I'm hap, you know, if the board has anything that they want to just confirm with me that if it's done or not and what you need, let me know. Well,

do you know if Evan and William will be involving any member of the board on the hiring process for the new person? I am not sure. I don't recall when it was my when I was Yeah, I know when you got hired, everyone told us that he felt like he had to just jump at the chance to hire you rather than involve us. But I I don't know if he's planning on doing that. I think the charter says that he has the full hiring capabilities, but I don't think he would be opposed to looping somebody in. So, I can follow up on that.

Yeah, it has varied. um what was what has been done in the past. I am concerned about um writing decisions, someone being here who can listen to what we all do and say and incorporate that into decisions. Yeah. Um I don't know whether Natalia is ready for that. Maybe she is. um she might want to be here rather than

Yeah, I think going forward um you know obviously in the transition period like she'll be coming in more um drafts and preparations have been made to the extent possible she might need to tweak some things and add a little thing here and there but hopefully she doesn't have to uh do any too much heavy lifting from the permitting side. Um but she's very smart and can can pick up as well. There I think there has been on some occasions in the past there have been a certain amount of an interim part-time planner helping CMRPC sometimes provides that.

Um I' I'd like to have Evan talk with me about it. Okay. about the process and and all of it. Sure. So, we've got serious work. Things aren't getting easier here for some reason. I don't understand. And this board would probably need to do more hands-on signing of plans and right and such in your absence until we can update registry deeds. But it probably doesn't make sense to do that while we wait for someone to be hired.

We'll wait until there's some things to sign and then we'll figure that out. Uh maybe. What do you think? What do you think? Okay. Um I see my problem. All right. Um we got the bills. Is that all the report for now? Uh yes. Yeah. It's just going to be just preparing correspondence. Four pages. That's it. I didn't I don't think I saw anything. Nothing caught my eye.

No news is good news. So they say.

All right. Reports from planning board representatives and town committees and CMRPC. Um, let's see. Didn't we just uh approve another project uh uh the with the other towns small amount of seed money, $2,500 or something like that. Mhm. We the board at the last hearing um voted to sign have me sign on your behalf a letter of support for the AARP grant that's going to be funding potentially the regional walk audit. West Westboro is the lead on that, but we said we would participate. Um but I haven't submitted any other

Yeah. D but we one of those other committees I'm on. Oh, we talked about it and approved it. Okay. Physical development. Yes. Yeah. Yeah. Okay. Um, what time is it? 7:24. 24. Um, we can't do the hearings.

Mr. for all those people that are hanging on for 2026-02 uh 10 to 12 Bridge Street. Uh applicant has requested to withdraw and when we get to hearings we'll be acting on that. So for all those people lined up for uh for that one that was um actually uh yeah that it's actually the the at 21 Grafton common um the future

off the common unc uncommon cow uncommon cow uncommon uncommon cow I noticed construction vehicles still there. They've been working on that a long time. Yes, they have. Um, so we've got four and a half minutes. Mr. Chair, did you do boards updates from boards and committees? Yes. Oh, you did? I'm sorry. That's what I just did. Sorry. That was apparently none of the rest of us have any updates for that. Well, none of them jumped jumped in when I gave them the chance. Yep.

Just speaking for myself, I have nothing on that topic. Oops. Sorry. I'm so I are going to be doing this with us in their spare time around the uh the uh

all things budget. Yes. Yes. So, will William it will probably most likely be William that will be helping with the with the bigger scale things. I'm I'm trying to not overwhelm him with too much. There's just a couple of of couple of pressing things that just need his attention. Um the MVP 2.0 project in particular just needs to we just need to make sure that there's a contingency plan in place while just until the new person can start. So, it's really that um I've connected with everybody at CMRPC who I have a project with, notified them, let them know, staff and board members and any other kind of projects, applications, grants, like people should be in the know. I've any any uh big development projects I've contacted the project managers and let them know. Um a lot of the new construction will be um you know, we're at the point where we're just they're just starting. they're doing limited work and clearing and then erosion control and stabilization which um conservation has a strong role at the beginning anyway and acts as our often times will act as our agent inspecting erosion control. hopefully by the time you know somebody else gets on and the construction will will pick up at that point. Like it's still, you know, there's some snow on the ground. Maybe not that much after today, but um I I I think honestly like any like the toughs uh the TUS campus projects are completely covered. Um 124 Westboroough will be starting with the you know soon. But that's just what I said. Erosion controls and um um I think those are the the main ones right now that are seeking

that 40 yard that was near Pine Street. Was that has that broke ground? Okay. Nope. Nope. That is stalled for the foreseeable future. unsure um when that will get back up and running, but there's, you know, we're we're having discussions with the developer regularly about some of the infrastructure aspects. I had a thought.

Just while I think of it, I'll probably touch base with I may be touching base with you on stuff later this week, but just because it happened to pop into my mind. Have we done anything yet uh regarding the new solar permitting regime?

I have notified our central mass rep, Stephen, let him know um that, you know, there's going to be a a change in staffing. Uh we have our um project page that's up that's Natalya just updated that the other day um because there's been a lot of um a lot a lot of um you know re recent changes the public comment period is closing I think March I want to say it's 13th so on the draft regulations and they're still you know they're still kind of going through things at the the sighting regulations etc are still going through the processes at the state level, but we are we're putting the information out there and he knows so and and the new person has will have their contact have that Steven's contact information as well. So,

well, my clock says 7:30, Bob. It does. Um so we will move on to a u to the u sub oh first of all um I'll take up B which is special permit 2026-02 um which I mentioned a minute ago uh about the um 21 graft in common applicant has requested to withdraw the application without prejudice I will move that the board grant the applicant's request to withdraw without prejudice. Second.

Second is by um discussion. I do have one thing just to say out loud for just board's reminder. I know some of us already know this very well. The applicant applicant requested to withdraw. That is their purview. Whether to do it without prejudice is entirely up to us. And without prejudice, this means that if they wanted to resubmit the exact same application tomorrow, they could do so. Otherwise, they have to wait, I think it's what? Two years. If they submit it, yeah, substantially the same thing. Yeah, they have to wait two years. But, uh, I don't think there's any reason to

I have no I have no concern on without prejudice. I just figured I'd mention that out loud. Okay. Um, any other discussion on this motion? Hearing none. All in favor? I I opposed. So voted unanimously. Now that brings me back to the continued hearing on the subdivision control rules and regulations amendments. This is a public hearing which we began last time. Yes. The last regular meeting I guess. Um

yes. some Natalia, there's this is a continuation. We don't need to reread the public hearing notice. It's been a little bit and I'm just want to make sure that that definitely wasn't done the last time and I'm forgetting. Are we talking about theision rules and regulations? We didn't read anything yet. We did not read the right. So, we need to read it this time. I have it here. We can do it.

Great. Pursuant to MGL chapter 41 section 81Q, the planning board of the town of Grafton will hold a public hearing on Monday, February 23rd, 2026, commencing at 7:30 p.m. in the conference room A of the Grafton Memorial Municipal Center, 30 Pro Providence Road, to consider amending the subdivision control rules and regulations by making revisions to section two general, section four design requirements, section five construction requirements, and schedule A typical cross-sections and or by making corrections within those sections such as punctuation, spelling, formatting, inconsistencies, and clarification. A copy of the proposed text is available for public inspection at the town of Grafton website at www.grafton-mma.gov. A copy of the summary of the proposed changes is available for public inspection on the town of Grafton website at www.grafton-mma.gov. Both of the proposed texts and summary are also available for public inspection at the planning department office during regular business hours. Okay. So now the hearing's thoroughly open. Tell us tell us what you want to tell us.

Great. Sure. So um this has been unfolding over the past few months. Um so uh you know we've the board has discussed in the past um these changes. Um, as part of a contract that we have with VHB, we are looking at our uh local rules and regulations, namely uh our subdivision rules and rags and our eventually our zoning bylaw to incorporate lid or low impact development principles. Um, this I believe a similar undertaking was done in 2021. Um but to summarize the changes which is again as Greg mentioned it's uploaded into the record um on on the project page but there's kind of general editorial changes that include you know corrections to punctuation spelling etc. Um clarifications for wording um definitions are added for uh flexible development and major residential development. Um cluster development is up uh is changed to flexible throughout the document for consistency. um clarified waiver procedures uh removed um some language from section uh 2.7 uh and combined with 2.6 um added details for design speed clarified grading requirements when green infrastructure is used. Centerline grade requirements uh in line with the 25 mile per hour design speed is included and updated. Um uh additions to leveling area curb cut and driveway openings. Um some added clarification for requirements for open spaces and retention of open space and to and language to encourage basically flexible development opportunities where possible. drainage, storm water modifications, um sidewalk, grass pots, tree and trees, updated the minimum width of sidewalks

to be ADA compliant, added language to encourage uh grading that direct storm water um to street trees, increased had originally considered increasing the number of lots served by a common driveway from three to four. that um was not pursued. Um clarified common driveway design um cannot block neighboring units. And then just references an additional language to encourage porous pavement and other um and and encourage uh increase sidewalk width in the crosssections and then cur the curbs and burm section and then trails, bikeways and walkways. So, a lot of this um that was a really quick overview. Um a lot of this is really more um just bringing our rags up to speed uh with kind of what what's going on the larger landscape. The MS4 permit is really trying to encourage communities um to move in this direction. MS4 municipal sewer storm water

municipal separate separate storm water system. Thank you.

Oh boy. Yeah. Okay. I'm all right. Um so we are an MS4 community. Um this is uh this is aligning with the changes that will be required with the updated permit. Um and it's there's nothing really majorly changing. Um but you know we're doing we're doing the requirements that you know we agreed upon and the the this has been circulated among staff including fire and DPW uh for review because obviously they're going to be um really out out there doing the paving doing the snow clearing doing all this stuff update you know keeping catch basins in working order and a lot of it it overlaps with what they do on their day-to-day. So that was the director of DPW and the fire chief vetted this and um they had no problem. Um yeah and so since the last meeting where we discussed this um it was January 6, 2026, we removed um any references to the word encouraging the board. Um so that was taken out. um removing repetitive waiver language as that's really kind of understood uh throughout this process. So it doesn't really it doesn't need to be um repeated and adding couple of additional details in some in section 2.6 and updating the revision history obviously. Um so I'm happy to answer any questions that the board has. We have been Lauren is on. She's been our consultant and she's been fantastic throughout this process. Um, so you know, we're both here if you have any questions for us about the changes.

Any questions? Any questions? Any input from anyone else? This is a public hearing. This is where we decide what the rules are for subdivision. Um, we'll probably vote in a few minutes and it's done. None of this town meeting stuff. Yes, that's that's correct. Does not need to go to town meeting. Uh, that's the that's the way Massachusetts likes it. We're okay with it.

We don't have any hands on Zoom wanting to discuss this. In fact, we don't have any attendees on Zoom. Any anybody in the room wishes to speak to the proposed subdivision rules and regulations changes? Well, I guess I would move that we close the public hearing. Second. Moved and seconded to close the hearing. Discussion hearing none. All in favor? I opposed. So voted. And now I'll move that the board adopt board vote to adopt these revisions to the subdivision rules and regulations.

Second. Moved and seconded to adopt. Any discussion? All in favor? I opposed. So voted unanimously. Yeah. Every decade or so. Yeah. If memory serves, there is a a posting requirement of some sort. Filing with the town clerk maybe. Anyway, so that once the board has voted to approve, there's a little bit more paperwork before Mhm. it actually becomes effective. We had no discussion on that motion, but we had plenty of discussion in the past several months. Oh, yes. Yes.

And and if you look at the meeting materials page, Yes. more than a screen full of uh documents. Uh uh what was I just thinking? Oh, it has to also find its way, you know, in in printed and interneted form. It's got to got and then we've got to know that it's up there so we can download it to our Mhm. Yes. Yes. So yes, all the little details in we'll say it's associated with fully and properly publishing it.

We'll rely on staff to take care of that. Yes, we can do that. Good luck. Um, all right. I guess that that brings us to the last uh item tonight, which is a continuation from February 23rd of uh special permit SP2026-01 SPA and site plan approval at 244 Worcester Street, uh Wyman Gordon. Um Natal N did do you want to uh say about the

Sure. the agenda the 124. Yeah. Why don't you?

Yep. Um absolutely. So uh there was a little bit of um an error with the agenda. So, the um the heading and the continuation reference and the special permit number and the address and all of that information is correct, but the description of the project is uh referencing um a different project and is is not accurate. So, um, I just want to reiterate for everybody in the in the room and potentially, you know, on Zoom and for the public for the future that this is a 244 Worcester Street um solar application and we just just, you know, there was just a carryover issue. Um, so apologies for that. And Mr. Chair, you will need to vote um take a vote on the last continuence request because of the weather. So, just make sure that you

Okay. cover that base. Um, we had, as you know, as we were just told, we got a request to continue the hearing because none of us, no one could be here, just a couple feet of snow or something. Yeah, little weather detail. But so I will move that the board vote to grant the applicant's written request to continue the hearing to Monday, March 9th, 2026. Second. Moved and seconded. Any discussion? Hearing none. All in favor? I oppose. So voted unanimously.

Now we can proceed. Um, so I I read through this stuff much as I could and I don't know whether we've reached closure on everything.

So, Mr. Chair, I'll hand it over to the applicant. Um and but just as an update, so since the last hearing, um we have received a peerreview report from Graves, um a response from the applicant to that peerreview report, updated site plans, an up a revised storm water report, um and a response to to my memo, um which is all of the outstanding items. The only thing that we are waiting on is a final closeout from Graves, which I connected with him via email. Um and he said that he didn't have anything he saw, you know, the the response and didn't have anything sub substantive to add. Um most of the comments were uh were addressed. I think it's just pretty much awaiting a final com, you know, sign off that he's comfortable with it, but um if you have any specific questions.

So we're still waiting for at least one document which is from Graves even though they said they're basically all set. Is that that's the only document that we're waiting on? Yeah. You could maybe you could put the email in. I'm I'm sure. I'm trying to see see where we're going tonight uh with this. Um cuz I I figured out I thought I thought that what was happening was that uh we were still in need of saying, "Yeah, it's okay." Back and forth, back and forth, back and forth about wetlands. Yes. And drain drainage and all of that. Yes.

And we closed out the stuff with the fire department as well, right? Yes. The fire department. Um all of the concerns that I flagged in my memo um I had followed up with the chief and the applicant did as well. So excellent. That's good. Anything you want to tell us? Covered. No, I mean I feel like you've done a great job of explaining. You should say who you are. I apologize. Uh Adam Hartman with uh time at PCC Wyman Gordon. Um I'm the senior director of our renewable division.

So Nick Fasendola Level Design Group. We prepared the site plans and the storm water report and uh the submission documents. So if there's any questions you have about any of the graves comments, they're all it was a two-page letter with four comments. Very straightforward. I used the wrong hundred-year storm. I used the Noah storm. They wanted a uh SCS storm. So, I corrected that uh item. There's essentially no substantial changes to the plan. It's all still looks the same. Solar array positioning, driveway access, all that's the same. Um added a couple extra notes. And the other comment was um label the abuters around the entire property which was quite a task because given the size of it but uh we labeled all the abutters within 200 ft of the property on the um over uh excuse me the um overview sheet that we provide on the plants. But other than that it was very straightforward. Um and yeah I'm sure Jeff has no concerns. Um he didn't you know we work with uh Graves Engineering all the time. They do all the reviews for our offices in Planeville. So I have done 20 projects with Jeff this year. So he's uh he's a uh they do a great job with their reviews and they're to the point. So um you know I think they're essentially satisfied. And then we responded to uh Fiona's comments. Um you know a couple things probably just be left for for conditioning. Um, and you know, if there's anything as far as conditions for the project goes that the board would want to discuss, you know, we'd be happy to take that opportunity tonight to go over any concerns, anything that you would want conditioned um while we still have the opportunity to discuss those items.

So, anything the only the only thing I'm thinking about is that Graves letter, but that Graves final report. Mhm. But I'm wondering does the board and the staff would it be comfortable if if we think that everything else is good to close the hearing have that email in the hearing records? Mhm. And then have a condition just saying we need that final report. Yeah. I think that that's that might save a few steps. Yeah. I think you know in any case

we don't have a draft decision to deliberate on tonight. So what will happen is at the next board meeting the board would be deliberating on and presumably voting on the uh the draft decision. And what we've often done in cases like this where we're we've essentially wrapped it up, but we're waiting for, you know, one or two pieces of paper is we'll go ahead and get to work. Staff will work on the draft decision. We'll we'll hold the hearing open to receive the documentation with the expectation that at the next meeting we can receive the documentation, close the public hearing and have a draft decision ready to work on and presumably finalize. So either way it's two weeks or whenever our next meeting is. Is it two weeks?

More or less. Yeah. Makes sense. doesn't you don't get delayed and we get to cover the today's Yeah, today's the 19th. So yes, the 23rd would be the date for the deliberation and finalization and approval of the draft decision. So to keep things simple, we always prefer to receive all the documentation before we close the public hearing. Well, the record can only include what's been received before the hearing is closed.

Yes. Yes. If we don't receive it before the close of the public hearing, we either produce a decision based upon what we have received or we set some conditions for the receipt of additional documentation. I tend to prefer avoiding that if we if we can get all the documentation before we close the public hearing so it's all on the record. That's generally to be preferred. No, we agree it makes sense to leave it open so you can take additional testimony from us if needed or um supplemental documents can be added if if necessary.

Okay, let's see if there's anyone who wants to say something about this. I'd actually Well, you have to come up to the mic. I'd like to look at the plan before I ask my question because I couldn't really see it at home. U tell us who you are. Well, okay. Take a look. Probably need a different sheet here. Let me come up there. Yeah, we can give you a better Yeah, that one that one kind of shows more of it.

I knew I would.

All right. I do not need to ask my question now that I've seen that big enough to understand it. Good. Good. Okay. Do do we want to talk decommissioning at all? Yeah. Yeah. That'd be our only item that I think we want some input from from the board on before we got too far. Yeah. Um

so um previous life uh was a part of the commercial solar world and and absolutely decommissioning bonds particularly when you had you know absentee owners so to speak whether they were coming in leasing property or whether they were um you know didn't have a presence in the community in the state and that sort of thing and I guess um the ask tonight would really be um we're here uh Wyman Gordon's been here Wyman Gordon's more than likely going anywhere, right? Uh they've had a presence there. They've owned the plant since uh what is it 1982? They operated it before then. Um have a significant footprint in the area. I guess the ask would be um you know, could we do something else besides um like a bond, some sort of um you know, shy with with uh I think we threw out some proposed language uh and sort of negotiate that in good faith. And I'll be completely transparent. Um the the biggest the biggest reason for the ask is simply u a bond you have to renew every year, right? And as you go throughout the process and it's it's it's it's um not so much about the dollars as it is the the administrative side. Um and just keeping up with that, making sure if we change bond companies or something like that, capturing those old bonds and that sort of thing. I I I guess that again the reason for the ask is we've been here. This to me is a um a great u um you know us demonstrating our commitment to the community. Um you know part of precision cast parts um over 100 plants across the US. Uh we're not going anywhere. Uh this has some of the biggest presses in in the world. I think from my seat I'd be open to another option. I don't know what they

are right now, but I'd be open to another option. I think the biggest sell cell of allowing another option for this particular case is if Wman Gordon goes insolvent tomorrow for some really strange reason. There's a lot more to do on that property to fix than taking down a solar a solar array.

Let's see. This is recorded, right? So, um, I I can read what we threw out there and and I I feel like it's it's it's something that I feel is is balanced for both for both parties. So, um, you know, Wyman Gordon Grafton acknowledges that in order uh to put the proposed solar array into service, it must be um responsible for the de decommissioning of the solar project and will document that obligation by either providing a memorandum of understanding or equivalent documentation. um outlining the responsibility uh or will otherwise produce a decommissioning bond. So, in other words, if we can't come to terms, which I I just I I can't even fathom how we couldn't um that that we would still commit to doing a decommissioning bond. Yeah, I I think we definitely because we always request require decommissioning uh coverage.

That goes back to you know I've done all the solar. Oh yeah. Um and um so I don't think I don't think we shouldn't just say we should have something solid that would back up the next time we ask somebody for a bond. Um it's a good thing to keep the record open though because all of this needs to go in it. So I I think we should get some advice from council. uh on what you know what we can agree to you know as far as the their requested language. Yeah. If that is possible.

So you and she and our council have about four days to get get us something. Okay. More than happy to get our legal on the phone now. Um yeah. No, that'd be great. Um yeah, whatever it is, I'm sure we can get something figured out. Okay.

Through through you, Mr. Chair, I might just add from my perspective, I've seen bonds that need to be renewed regularly. And anou or an MOA or some similar agreement that's more permanent. It would would probably be preferable if town council vets it because you're not having to revisit it all the time. Things don't fall through the cracks. you don't find out, oh, that bond's been expired for a full year and whatever. So, it's just something if the board, you know, there's additional and it it occurs to me that a memorandum of understanding would include terms that cover the unlikely event that

Wyman's facility is no longer operational operating. Mhm. Unlikely though that may be I know I know lawyers like to cover all the Oh yeah it's it's unlikely to happen but you know we better account for it. But a a such a memorandum could very well among the terms there could be that should b should something happen then it there there might be some terms in there that involve establishing a bond if circumstances warrant

and I don't think we're fundamentally against that. uh we want to offer you some protection and we also uh as you touched on Mr. Chairman want to make sure we're not setting a bad precedence. We're we're not asking to be let off the hook. We're we're just asking to look at it from a different perspective. No. Yeah. We we always want to ensure that decommissioning takes place. Absolutely. How we make that assurance that can that can vary on a case-by case basis. Long as we've got that base covered. Okay. Sir, I guess the question is why do we worry so much about that? I mean, you you've got some some more difficult things on that property.

Yeah. To deal with. I mean, like a a 40s story. Yeah. But I understand from your perspective, right? So, if you had a a company from the outside come in, set up a separate LLC, right, for that solar farm and that solar farm only. Y at the end of the 30 years there's there's, you know, nobody or 20 years or whatever it is, there's likely not a a company that that is, you know, a finance company that's involved anymore. It's it's probably done. I mean, they have all the incentive to to walk away, right? That's what it's there for. It's a different ownership structure, right? Those other projects, they probably get bought and sold

10 times during their life cycle. Different owners. It's a for-profit facility. The other types of facilities, this is Well, we're not a not for-p profofit, but they're essentially building it for their for their own, you know, power generation needs. So, it's it's still a solar field. We understand it's going to its usable life will expire at some point. Hopefully, it can be revitalized and new panels put in and we generate more power um in the future. But yeah,

yeah, last I knew the expected lifetime of solar panels is around 25 years. Uh yeah, you're actually seeing it kind of edge more towards that 30-year mark. Um but the biggest thing with solar is is inverter maintenance, right? Your inverters aren't going to last that 30 years, but if you take care of them, you know, they can get you into that 15 20 year mark where you'd replace them. Yeah. And we're not talking about batteries in this case. To be very very clear, we are not talking about batteries. Yeah. Why the battery market is very unique right now and is definitely emerging. To be clear, we are not talking about

Yeah. Well, the regulation of it and the you know, you you're probably well aware of some towns around here who are a tad upset about large battery uh facilities. I've done a few. Uh you know, they're they're good. You know, I we you know, I understand the the positives and negatives. Uh, regarding the facilities, you know, it's a big push by the state for for those facilities. We're we're not there at this point. No, no, no, no. Battery chemistry is an interesting thing in the world right now, and it continues to

evolve. Maybe not as quickly as we'd all hope, but it still continues to evolve. Yeah. I fairly often read about some, oh, here's a new battery technology. It looks promising, but you know, we we could so far we've only demonstrated on an extremely small scale. Yeah. It just so happens at perfect temperature conditions. Yes. Fusion. Fusion, too. Very small scale. Fusion fusion power generation has been around the corner for well since World War II. Yeah, something like that. Yeah. Advanced nuclear's kind of been that way, too.

My my entire lifetime of memory. Yeah. Um, okay. What about solar though? Right. We We're not going to u make much more headway tonight with this. Yeah. So, I think sounds like where we're at is we're waiting on documentation from Graves. The final the final wrap up of the peer review. We do need to work out a a decommissioning approach. Mhm. I do have two and to draft

two quick um questions if I could, Mr. Chair. Um the the note right above the one you you were you were talking about was number 10 on on your response back um the one right above that the last sentence on on the copy that I had on on mine. The last sentence is the s this was talking about the parking accommodations and the staff. Um the last sentence it says the system is remotely monitored comma and if there are any significant issues and that it stopped it stop so if you could but then maintenance staff will uh I can clarify that.

Yeah it just what I mean there's just something missing so we just need that for the record that sorry it's nitpicky but no I just I read it and then I just read it again when you referred to the one right below it. So, if you can just whatever it is, I I'm sure it's the rest of the paragraph was perfect. It just didn't finish. It was there at some point, I promise. Y first and foremost. Yeah. Uh so, from a solar maintenance perspective, we will have the ability to see the inverters.

Uh and what you'll do is typically you'll compare them, right? So, if if those there's an algorithm in there that says, you know, if this one is producing, you know, one megawatt and this one's producing a half megawatt, clearly something's wrong, right? uh and then you'll kind of dive into it from there. It'll flag it. So, there is that telemetry that we'll see there. Uh it will be monitored. There's alarms that are set up and so forth. And then maintenance, as we talked about earlier, inverter maintenance typically happens twice a year. Um and and and that's really really key. Uh following the manufacturer specifications and that sort of thing almost like you would with your car, changing oil and stuff. And then the second point was just are any of the buildings that you're taking down the any of those historical in any way, shape or form? Uh did they have any?

No. No. Okay. The only historical one is the one is the press. So the press itself is a national engineering landmark. So and that's not going that's not going perfect. That's not in the buildings you're taking. No, that's your bread and butter. That's You're not worried about But that's the only historic That's the one. None of the ones that are none of the other ones. Those are just all that are being raised or anything like that. Yeah. Thank you. You're not worried about somebody coming by in the middle of the night and taking that press away with them. Yeah. I don't think that's going to work. Yeah. Maybe maybe I should put it. If they can do that, more power to them. Yeah. I'd love to see the permit to haul that out of there.

That's it for me. Thank you. I just just curious, could you say how much what the electric bill that you're uh what the electric bill would be for the power you're going to be making. Give people an idea of how much electricity you're making in th in those terms. Yeah. So, if it's okay, I'd like to maybe come back to the next meeting with that. I just want to run that by a few folks and make sure that I don't know if we can disclose that. I I I I know we can disclose something. I just want to make sure as far as like what uh um

I'm just you know whatever the average typical rate people are paying. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. per per megawatt hour or Yeah. So your your question just so I can clarify is you know really from a dollar's perspective what are we offsetting? just to give people, you know, like how many homes? Oh, ballpark. Mhm. Okay. So, we're we're not providing over 50% of the power. It's actually less than that. Closer to that 40% mark,

but um yeah, we we can come up with, you know, average 2.5 person home with they don't leave the lights on. You know, what does that look like? We we can certainly come up with a number for that. Yeah, there's a head going his back. She'd like to know and you know it's a nice someone commented about the power on on Yes. comments here. Yeah. If it was going to support any of the the neighbors or just strictly for Oh, yeah. It was just strictly for Wyman good Gordon's use or was it going to benefit anyone? But it's obviously going to benefit them because of

what you pointed out in your in your write up. Yeah. In peak times, you're going to you're not going to be sucking the energy from from your neighbors. Exactly. Right. Um, good. Is there anything else tonight you want to request? There's a form somewhere. Yeah. Yes. I think I think maybe the applicant is prepared to request a continuation to March 23rd. 23rd. Yes. I will move that the board grant the applicant's forthcoming written request to continue this hearing until March 23rd at 7:30 p.m. In meanwhile, staff staff will work on getting a draft decision.

I could use I could use second. Second. Moved and seconded. Any discussion? All in favor? I opposed. So voted. We're continuing. Thank you. Thank you very much for your time. Appreciate it. Thanks again. Is there anything else which may lawfully come before us? I'm sorry. Hope not. Um that Oh, no. That's fine. We're not going to need to go past 10. Really? I'm I'm pretty sure. I'm pretty sure. I mean, you know, kind um even with the time change, even with the time change this past weekend. But anyway, I move to ajourn.

Second. Moved and seconded. It's not debatable. All in favor? I. So, voters, we are ajourned. Perfect from the floor. Yes.